Man Charged in Bridgewater Township Barricaded Incident

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald has announced that a Bridgewater Township man has been charged following an investigation into a barricaded incident that occurred on Friday in Bridgewater Township.

The incident unfolded on November 10, at approximately 7:19 a.m., when the local police received a distressing 9-1-1 call reporting an unknown problem at a residence on Columbia Drive. Subsequently, concerned family members made additional 9-1-1 calls, expressing their worries about an adult female relative who was reportedly being held against her will in the same residence, according to McDonald.

Upon arrival, the investigating officers discovered that the entrance to the residence had been barricaded and the suspect, identified as Alonzo Blakey, a 50-year-old Bridgewater Township resident, was inside. Blakey was allegedly holding the female victim against her will and making threats to harm both himself and the victim, McDonald reported.

Responding swiftly to the situation, members of the Somerset County SWAT Team, the Somerset County Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Somerset County SWAT Team Tactical Medics, and members of Somerset County Communications Field Mobile Command Post promptly arrived at the scene, ready to tackle the challenging circumstances, McDonald stated.

Prosecutor McDonald revealed that for approximately four hours, the Somerset County Crisis Negotiations Team made concerted efforts to establish communication and negotiate with Blakey, hoping for a peaceful resolution.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when members of the SWAT team, who were strategically positioned for an immediate entry, heard the victim’s distressing screams emanating from within the barricaded residence, McDonald explained.

In response, the SWAT team swiftly initiated an explosive breach of the front door, which had been barricaded using various items and furniture. Once inside, the officers noticed the female victim running towards them in distress. The SWAT team successfully rescued her, ensuring her safe removal from the residence, McDonald confirmed.

It was discovered that the female victim had sustained apparent stab wounds and lacerations to her face and hand, adding to the severity of the situation, McDonald said.

Simultaneously, the SWAT officers encountered Blakey, who had collapsed on the floor. As the officers approached him, they noticed self-inflicted stab wounds on his arm. Responding swiftly, the SWAT officers apprehended Blakey and applied a tourniquet to control his life-threatening injuries, McDonald added.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Tactical Medics, who were assigned to the Somerset County SWAT Team, joined the officers in rendering life-saving emergency aid to both Blakey and the victim at the scene, McDonald revealed.

Both Blakey and the female victim were subsequently transported to a nearby trauma center for immediate medical attention. Fortunately, both are expected to survive their injuries, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the harrowing ordeal, McDonald shared.

Blakey, now under police guard by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office at the trauma center, faces several charges. These include second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to McDonald.

Once Blakey is released from the trauma center, he will be transported to the Somerset County Jail by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. Blakey will be held there pending a detention hearing, McDonald explained.

The investigation into this distressing incident is ongoing, with authorities committed to uncovering all pertinent details surrounding the case, McDonald concluded.